Value in a Deep Breath

Value in the Breath

In todays stressful high paced lifestyle, do you ever pay attention to your breath?

Not if its minty fresh lol! But how deeply or shallow do you breathe?

Do you regularly hold onto your breath, without realising you are doing it – especially during times of high stress? Of course you keep on taking breaths, your autonomic nervous system is programmed to do so. But what is the quality of each breath you take?

Just for one day, I challenge you to pay attention to how you breath.

Taking time to focus on deep breathing throughout the day has many many benefits.

You don’t even need to take a half hour out of your day to fit it in!

Any time you are forced to stop and wait, is an opportunity to indulge in some deep breathing!

You can practice deep breathing:

• In the car – especially when stopped at traffic lights
• In the lift on the way to your level
• While waiting on the kettle to boil
• When in the loo
• Waiting in line at the shops
• Whilst waiting for an appointment
• When in the shower
• Especially upon waking or going to sleep

The Benefits you can expect from focusing on deeper breaths are:

• Increased energy levels – all that extra oxygen in your blood helps your body to function better & increases stamina.
• Decreased stress & anxiety levels – taking deep breaths slows your heart rate & helps to lower cortisol levels; this in turn sends a message to the brain to relax.
• Reduced pain – Focusing on taking deep breaths is a distraction from pain in the body & allows the brain to release feel good endorphins – which also help to combat pain levels.
• Increased immunity – When the blood is fully oxygenated it is able to better carry & absorb important nutrients, vital to immune function.
• Stimulated Lymphatic flow – detoxification can occur via carbon monoxide release from the body. You help your body to more easily release toxins when you take deep breaths.
• Lower Blood Pressure – taking deep breaths allows your muscles to relax more readily, and your blood vessels to dilate – improving blood circulation and lowering overall blood pressure.
• Improved Digestion – Deeper Breath = improved blood flow = organs functioning at optimum levels, including those of the digestive system.
• Improves posture – notice when you take a deep breath, that you automatically lengthen and straighten your spine. This is because when you take a deep breath, your lungs fill to capacity and take up maximum space, your diaphragm pulls down, so in turn your torso straightens.

Deep Breathing takes Practice

As it is not something you do all the time, deep breathing is a skill you may have to learn how do.

Here are some tips:

• Breathe calmly through the nose
• You should feel your lungs expanding from the abdomen then into the chest (place one hand on your stomach and one on your chest – feel your stomach rise before the chest).
• Gently breathe in for 5 seconds
• Hold this breath for 3 seconds
• Slowly, gently release the breath through the mouth for 5 seconds (or more, what ever is comfortable). Parting the lips and making and “o” shape or “ahh” sound, with the release of breath.
• Ahhhh is a very therapeutic sound for the releasing of energy. We make this sound when we laugh – Ahahhahaha! When we cry aaaaahhhaahh. When we are angry Aagghhhhhhhh!! When we feel relief Ahhhhh…..

Now go ahead!! Breathe your way to a better day & better Health!!

If you would like to experience a guided breathing session for relaxation, please book a consultation today. https://my.powerdiary.com/clientportal/af4399a4-dcd0-45bf-918b-72056a8d5391